Impact Makers: Kadiatu A Sheriff

NAME

Kadiatu A Sheriff

TITLE

Founder and CEO, Golden Waste Solutions Enterprise Inc.

LOCATION

Paynesville City, Liberia

ABOUT

Kadiatu A Sheriff grew up watching waste pile high in the streets of her hometown, Paynesville, one of Liberia’s largest cities, where access to modern waste services is limited and informal settlements face growing environmental pressures. Determined to do something about it, she founded Golden Waste Solutions Enterprise Inc. and now works closely with local neighbourhoods to find long-term solutions.

Her day-to-day work involves training young people, women and people with disabilities in recycling and composting, helping build practical systems that avoid waste being discarded incorrectly. Through school activities, practical training and local job opportunities, her organization helps residents take responsibility for waste in their own areas, building useful skills and a stronger sense of community in the process.

MOTIVATIONS

“I started Golden Waste Solutions Enterprise Inc. because I witnessed a problem that touched every corner of my community; piles of waste building up in our streets, clogging drains, causing floods, spreading diseases, and stripping people of dignity. Growing up in Paynesville I felt the weight of this problem daily, but I also saw an opportunity to turn a dirty challenge into a clean solution.

For me waste management has never been only about sanitation. It is about equity, opportunity, and hope. Too often, young people, women and people with disabilities are left out of climate and environmental solutions. I wanted to change that. Golden Waste Solutions was built on the belief that Liberia could manage waste better, smarter, and more sustainably while also empowering the very people most affected by it.

My academic and professional journey in public health strengthened this drive as it helped me see more clearly how waste health, climate change, and inequality are deeply connected. What began as a response to a local crisis has become a movement to show that communities can lead their own transformation. By giving people skills in recycling, composting, and sustainable practices, we are not just cleaning the streets, we are creating jobs, restoring the environment and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.

My motivation is to prove that even in the face of neglect and limited resources, communities can rise, innovate and build a future where waste is no longer a burden but a resource.”

IMPACT

Before

• Waste disposal in Paynesville was largely unmanaged, with plastic and organic waste accumulating in streets and drains

• High rates of pollution and flooding, with limited formal services for collection or recycling

• Lack of awareness about proper disposal practices and their health or climate impacts

After

• More than 630 women and youth trained in modern waste management and climate education

• 250+ plastic items upcycled through community reuse programmes

• 22 youth volunteers leading outreach and awareness sessions

• Students engaged in learning about recycling climate change and health risks

• Two participants returned as peer trainers strengthening long-term capacity

• Hundreds of residents reached through clean-up days and school sessions

ADVICE

“My advice to anyone who wants to help fight climate change and support local communities is to start with small, deliberate steps. Even simple actions like helping to keep your surroundings clean can spark real change. Stay mindful and present; notice the opportunities around you, be grounded and carry your work forward without burning out. Balance your big visions with everyday actions and remember that meaningful change begins with consistent efforts, even when it feels small. Finally, start where you are. You don’t need perfect conditions to make a difference. Every step counts and every voice matters in building a more sustainable and equitable future.”

CONTACT

LinkedIn | Website | Facebook